Mass Audubon Habitat Intergenerational Program celebrates 20 years

Young and old worked together on outdoor projects, spreading wood chips on trails, tidying the educational gardens, digging a trench and clearing leaves. Volunteers then enjoyed a party featuring a lineup of 20 cakes to celebrate the 20th birthday of HIP, Habitat’s Intergenerational Program.

The Habitat Intergenerational Program was established in 1997 under the leadership of Phyl Solomon and with the support of then-Habitat Director Laurie Bennett. HIP’s founders sought to foster friendships across generations through activities that reflect the shared values of community service and caring for nature. Now in its 20th year, the HIP program continues to offer a variety of opportunities for seniors, adults, teens and families to work together on hands-on projects that benefit nature.

“It’s all about learning and having fun together,” said Solomon.

Since the first Trails Day 20 years ago, HIP has grown into a friendly community that welcomes all participants to volunteer as and when they like, and actively encourages young people to grow into leadership roles. As a member of HIP’s intergenerational Steering Committee and Co-Director of the Chenery Courtyard Project, CMS teacher Ben Ligon describes HIP as a “family with a shared vision of intergenerational environmental stewardship.”

This year’s 20th Fall Trails Day drew loyal HIP members, young adults who took part in HIP programs when they were middle and high school students, local residents and seniors, Cub Scouts from Arlington, Somerville, Cambridge and Belmont, students doing community service, and families eager to spend an afternoon outdoors.

In thanking volunteers for their participation in the 20th Trails Day and anniversary celebration, Habitat’s Sanctuary Director Roger Wrubel expressed his hope that “HIP continues for many more years, bringing young and old together, working for, learning about and enjoying nature.”